Research from FixMyCar has revealed a significant number of UK drivers remain unclear about essential car servicing.
Nearly one in three (31.1%) admit to having skipped an annual service, often due to a lack of understanding of car maintenance, types of services or the associated costs.
The survey, which asked over a 1,000 UK drivers, “Have you ever skipped getting your car serviced for any reason?”, found nearly one in three admitted they had. A follow-up survey with over 500 UK drivers revealed their reasons: 14.3% said it was too expensive, 10.9% didn’t think their car needed a service, 9.3% didn’t know a car should be serviced annually, and 7.6% assumed a service wasn’t necessary because their car had passed its MOT.
These results highlight a widespread lack of awareness about regular car servicing. Many drivers mistakenly believe passing an MOT counts as full servicing, or simply underestimate the importance of scheduled maintenance.
The Making Tracks: The Auto Repair Report also highlighted rising service costs and changes in driver behaviour. Quote values for core services have risen on average by 7% over the last year helping to explain why some drivers may delay or skip servicing. The report also emphasised the importance of trust and transparency, showing good online reviews and clear pricing are more important to drivers than simply finding the cheapest service.
Matt Wrankmore, Head of Garage Network at FixMyCar, said: “Skipping a service may seem like a way to save money, but it can result in far greater expenses and safety risks. Our poll shows that many drivers don’t fully understand the difference between MOTs and servicing, or the importance of regular maintenance. Understanding service types and scheduling is key to protecting both your car and your wallet.
“We also know that the different types of services available can confuse drivers. Interim services, Full services and even Major Services are all valid options. The difference between them is how comprehensive the service is, with an Interim service being at the lower end of this and a Major service being the most thorough and comprehensive of the three. In most cases, an annual full service will be sufficient. However if you have skipped a service, I would recommend booking a Major service in to ensure a thorough check of your car’s health.”
